Best Value Mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter DemonicGoldfish
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DemonicGoldfish

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I basically need to know the difference, both quality and cost-wise, between the various types of mics (I found the FAQ a bit confusing here).

I also need to know how much I can get a servicable mic for if I am a bit tight on cash (I don't need amazing mics, just something that will give me acceptable sound quality). I couldn't find anywhere on the forums what difference exactly it makes using dynamic, ribbon, tube, condenser mics.

Remember, I don't have a lot of cash, so I can't go spending 900 quid on an amazing mic.

Cheers, DG :D
 
It's not really a question of 'quality' when comparing the different types of mic, more a question of what's suitable for the source.

In simple terms there are 2 types of mic that you want to bother yourself with at this stage- dynamics and condensors. Dynamics can handle higher SPL's (so you can stick them in front of loud sources and it'll be much harder to make them distort). Most mics used in live sound are dynamics because they're less sensitive and so less prone to feedback, condensors are more sensitive but generally give a much more detailed sound. In the studio you''ll usually find dynamics sat in front of guitar cabs and on drums etc. Condensors are preferred for acoustic instruments, vocals, drum overheads etc. This is a very general statement though, just what you''ll find 'more often than not'. A lot of vocalists sound better recorded with a good dynamic mic for example and condensor mics are often used to mic cabs and drums.

There aren't any hard and fast rules, it's a case of whatever works.

Generally condensor mics are more pricey than dynamics but of course a shit hot dynamic will cost more than a cheap condensor. This doesn't necessarily mean that condensors are 'better' than dynamics though.

It's important to learn about pickup patterns and diaphragm size as well so at some stage you might want to get your teeth into Harvey Gerst's 'big thread' which is the other sticky thread at the top of this forum.

You need to state a budget and what type of things you'll be recording if you want some recommendations on mics.

Incidentally a ribbon mic is a type of dynamic mic and a tube mic is a type of condensor mic, I won't go into these now because a) they're generally quite expensive anyway, b) I don't want to confuse things, c) I really don't know very much about microphones ;) :D .
 
cheers for the help :)

As for budget, I think at a pinch I could squeeze in about 800 quid (I'm a bit skinned). We will mainly be recording rock/hard rock. I need cheap, servicable, reliable mics, which can pick up an acceptable sound quality.
 
CAD
SE
NTK
Audio Technica
and what's a quid? never mind, I don't care
 
i don't know the quid to american dollar conversion, but the Studio Projects B1 is winner for the $100 american price range. these mics are extremely versitile, and pretty cheap. also MXL makes nice mics for the price. models like the 990/991 come in a package for $99. i have them, and they serve me quite well!!!

as far as dynamics go, everyone will tell you to get an sm57, but it's all due to preference. i think the audix i5 blows it out of the water... or you could get 3 sennheiser e835's for $219... which are also pretty damn versitile!!!

Jacob
 
For £800 you should be able to get quite a few decent mics. Especially if you shop around and use ebay wisely.
 
thanks guys. Maybe $800 was a bit optimistic, but from what youve said, I can probably get enough decent mics for well under $400, which is much cheaper than I would have thought. Thank you again, I will now research the various types of mic that you have mentioned :D
 
sorry i am buying in pounds (when i press the key on this new keyboard i come up with #) I think. But can you tell me if there is a difference between english and american jacks, i.e. if i get a mic imported, will it still work on english equipment?
 
All modern mics use XLR jacks.

Except for the really cheap Karaoke ones.

How many do you need, anyway?

And what for?
 
well I was thinking of 4 and using them for multitracking to save on cash -

I want to record a guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, playing rock and hard rock. I intend to multitrack to save on cash and make mixing easier, and as we will be re-using hte same 4, they will have to be quite versatile.

To help me along, I will post the list so far:

CAD
SE
NTK
Audio Technica
Studio Projects B1
MXL 990/991
SM57
Audix I5
Sennheiser E835

Now, if you had to choose a total of 4 mics from that list (or some of your own suggestions) and you could have 4 of the same mic, which ones would you choose for my context?
 
Hmm. How many tracks is your machine capable of recording at a time?
 
rofl if you say so :p

As for the number of tracks recordable, I have seen the software mix 4 together on my mate's laptop, but I reckon I might be able to get it to do an extra track. If not, I can just get keyboard and guitar on teh same track, that won't be a problem.

But back to my choice of mics plz ;)
 
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audio technica 4050 (desert island budget mic==the BOMB!)
sennheiser md421
MXL 990
Studio Projects C4 pair
 
BigRay said:
audio technica 4050 (desert island budget mic==the BOMB!)
sennheiser md421
MXL 990
Studio Projects C4 pair
Click to expand...
Never used the MXL but I wholeheartedly agree with the rest of that post! :)
 
Live drums?

Okay

An SM57 is pretty much the default option for snare and guitar amps (that's not to say you can't get better, because you can). For kick and bass cabs maybe a D112 (though, again, there are other options) and for the overheads, vocals and any acoustic instruments a pair of M-Audio Lunas might be good.

Total cost (new) around £412.
 
I like my Octavas 012s for overheads (the Rusky ones). I got em for about $80 or $90 a pop (but that was several years ago) and have gotten great sounds from them.A friend of mine is going to rent some KM184s and we are going to do a taste test,so to speak, between the two.
A 57 is standard and Audio Technica makes some pretty good mics (without killing your wallet). I have a few AT mics.
EV also makes very good mics that arent too expensive.
Sorry,I had to use US dollars since I dont have a British pound key on my keyboard. Just some other shit like this ~ What the hell is that for? Or these { } never used them till now. How about this one ^ . I guess theyre there for people to make those stupid little smiley faces out of. :{ Personally, Id like a key that just sticks out the middle finger.
 
Last edited:
DemonicGoldfish said:
well I was thinking of 4 and using them for multitracking to save on cash -

I want to record a guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, playing rock and hard rock. I intend to multitrack to save on cash and make mixing easier, and as we will be re-using hte same 4, they will have to be quite versatile.

To help me along, I will post the list so far:

CAD
SE
NTK
Audio Technica
Studio Projects B1
MXL 990/991
SM57
Audix I5
Sennheiser E835

Now, if you had to choose a total of 4 mics from that list (or some of your own suggestions) and you could have 4 of the same mic, which ones would you choose for my context?
Click to expand...

I'd want to pick 5 actually. I talk about this in the Newbie section off and on... I think any begining project studio should have at least five mics and 1 DI. With 1 large dynamic, one smaller dynamic, 1 large condensor, and 2 smaller condensors plus a DI you can record pretty much anything a basic project studio should come across (Vocals, drums, guitar, bass, piano, keys...)

The real question is which 5 mics and DI should I get? There are some obviously good choices for bang-4-buck mics - like an SM57, an AKG D112, RE20, MD421... Here are my recommendations:

Large dynamic: AKG DS112, Shure Beta 52, EV Re20
Dynamic: SM57, Audix i5, Beyer M201TG
SDC (2): Oktave MK 012, MXL 603, AT pro37r, AKG 451
Large Condensor: SP C1, AT 4040/4050, Cad M179, Rode NTK

As for DI's...I suggest you look into the Radial JDI - it's great for direct recording bass and keys.

that's just what I think...

Jacob
 
Hey,
What about the sick squid you owe me?
Cheers
rayC

Oh, Shure make a cheaper version of their mics called PG (Pro Gear) so you can get a PG75, PG58 etc. at reduced cost & some subsequent reduction in performance. I don't know how good these things are because, even at that they are beyond my price range.
rayc
 
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